By Matthew D. Stokes, BerryVikings.com Lead Writer

ROME, Ga. – Berry's baseball team rallied to grab a lead in the eighth, but ultimately lost, 15-12, in 11 innings to Maryville on Wednesday afternoon. The extra-inning game lasted four hours.

Berry fell to 8-8 overall. Maryville returned to .500 at 9-9.

Trailing by an 11-10 after seven frames, Berry had two runners on base in the eighth when Brandyn Jackson hit a grounder to Maryville's Andrew Mabini. The second baseman nailed pinch runner Jacob Kennedy trying to score from third base. The next batter, pinch hitter Ben Jernigan grounded an infield single deep in the 5-6 hole, and two runs would come home after a throwing error on Maryville shortstop Nick Dean. Berry would leave the inning with a 12-11 edge.

Christian Champion entered the ninth in a save situation for Berry and failed to hold it as Maryville's Zack Blonder drove home the tying run with a single through the right side.

Maryville scored three runs off Carter Reese (0-1) in the 11th as Blonder ripped a RBI double to left center. Two more came across later when Berry catcher Devin Skelton could not handle a throw to the plate from an infielder. Maryville's Nick Bowers (3-0) struck out Berry pinch hitter TC Boyd with a runner on third to seal the deal.

Gaylor paced Berry with three hits and three RBIs, and Austin Neely had two hits and runs. Maryville finished with 18 hits, including four apiece from Blonder and Dean.

Berry will return to William R. Bowdoin Field on Friday night against Southern Athletic Association opponent Millsaps. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.